Closure for tank openings



Nov. 12, 1929. E, A, HOFFMANQ 1,735,683

CLOSURE FOR TANK OPENINGS Filed Nov. 26, 1928 Edward A. Hoffman/1 I N V EN TOR.

. MM/Maw ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 1929 UNITED STATES EDWARD A. norrumn', or READING, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR 'ro cLnv'roNmo- 1 TOBS CORPORATION, or READING, PENNSYLVANIA, A cortroRA'rIoN or NEW YORK oLosuBn ron TANK ornnmes This invention relates to closing devices 7 for hermetically sealing tanks or the like,

' described in my co-pending applications for Letters Patent, Serial Number 262,789 and Serial Number 315,150, filed, respectively, March 19, 1928 and October 26, 1928.

While not necessarily limited to containers of that kind, they represent a typical application of myinvention. In such devices which'are used to transport mixed concrete, it is of prime importance'that the container, after having been charged with concrete, be closed air and water tight to maintain uniform hydration and mixing of the ingredients of the concrete without loss of the hydrating element therefrom, and without-the admission of air into the container, if the contents of the container, while being revolved, are under a vacuum as explained in the last named copending application.

Itis the principal object of the invention to provide a closure for charging openings of tanks which is simple in operation, easily manipulated, economical to manufacture, and one which hermetically *seals .the opening. Other objects will become apparent as the nature of the invention-is better understood after the perusal of the following specification and the inspection of the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is 'a fragmentary plan view'of a stank showing a closure with its cover plate partly broken, away, embodying tlie principles of my invention; I I

Fig. 2 is, a longitudinal sectional view of the same, taken along the plane of line 2--2 in Fig. 1; p

Fig. 3 is an enlarged elevational' view of one of the fastening devices for the closure; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the same, taken along the plane'of line 4-4 in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is an elevational end view of the cover plate proper, drawn in the same scale as Figs. land 2; v

Fig. 6 is a planview, and M Fig. 7 is a side view of the same.' 50 Like characters of reference denote simiipplication filed November 26, 1928. Serial 110. 3%,051,

lar parts throughout the several drawings and the following specification.

' 10 is a portion of a cylindrical tank. 1 1

is a frame, preferably, welded around a rectangular opening 12 in the tank. 13 is a cover plate substantially rectangular in shape, having hinge projections 14; at one end thereof, fitted between small angles 15 which are suitably fastened to the frame 11.

16 is arod passing through hinge projections 14 and angles 15, thereby hinging plate 13. to the frame 11. The center of the plate in Figs. 5, 6 and 7, at 171 18 :is a groove in the top of frame 11, rectangularly disposed, somewhat smaller than the plate 13 and equidistant from its edges. This groove is dovetailed at its sidesat 19. A rubber washer 20 is fitted within the groove 18. The washer is thicker'thant he depth ofgroove 18 and projects therefore somewhat above the top of the frame 11. Being pressed into the groove, it is held there tightly by virtue of its dovetailed walls. 21 are two locking bars, each consisting of a hub 22, a handle 23, and a lateral shaft extension 24. The hub .13 is bellied slightly at its center, as shown is bored out to pivotally fit over a"stud-25 eac'hdocking bar 21, is a latch 32 of substantially 'U-shape. Its mouth faces the roller' 28. The top branch 33 of the latch has its lower. side tapered downwardly at 34 from both endstoward its center, this center being recessed'at 35, as clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The operation of closing a tank equipped withthis locking device is as follows:

- After the tank has been filled, the opening. 12 is closed by rotating the plate 13. about its hin 6 rod 16 until it contacts with the rubber was er 20. In this position, before looking,

that side of the plate 13 where the hingesare located, contacts with the rubber washer, and

tion.

also the central or bellied part 27 of the opposite side, while the right and left side project slightly upward. The locking bars 21 are now closed and brought from the position shown in Fig. 1 in dotted lines to the one shown in full lines. This is done by swinging them about their-pivots 25. Whileswinging the bars 21 from the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 to the closed position, the roller 28 of each bar enters the open mouth of the latch 32, and by contact with thedowns wardly extending first half of the top branch" the central bellied part and, by being flattened against the rubber washer, make a water and air tight seal therewith. The device is opened by simply giving each locking bar a turn sufficient to disengage the roller 28 from its latch. While the tank is open for filling, it is clearly apparent that the rubber washer can-.

not become accidentally disengaged from the tank, because it is held tightly within the groove '18. V

It is understood that various changes in the form, proportions and minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principles or sacrificing any of the advantages of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim as new, is:

1. A closure for openings in tanks, comprising a resilient washer securedto the tank around the opening, a hinged plate adapted to contact with the washer, the said plate be ing slightly bellied to contact first with the washer opposite the center of its hinged side, and locking devices to straighten the plate and press the same uniformly against the washer.

2. A closure for openings in tanks, comprising a resilient washer secured to the tank around the opening, a hinged plate adapted to contact with the washer,- the said plate being slightly bellied to contact first with the washer opposite the center of its hinged side,

' and locking devices nearer to the bellied than the hinged side of the plate to straightenthe plate and press the same uniformly agalnst the washer. t

3. A closure for openings in tanks, comprising a frame around the. opening having, a dovetailed groove, a resilient washer forced within the groove and projecting outwardly thereof, a plate hinged to the frame adapted to contact with the washer, the said plate be-.

ing slightly bellied to contact first with the washer opposite the center of its hinged side,

and locking devices to straighten the plate r and press the same uniformly against the washer opposite the center of'its hinged sidei locking devices to straighten the plate an press the same uniformly against the washer, and means to lock the locking devices in such position. a 2

5. A device for fastening a plate over a tank opening, comprising a locking bar pivotally secured to the plate, a latch of substantially U-shape fastened to the tank, its mouth facing the locking bar and its top branch having a recess at its lower side, and a roller rotatably secured to the said lockingbar and being adapted to contact with the said top branch and engag the edges of its recess for the purpose of ma'ntaining the locking bar in a locked position. I

6. A device for fastening a plate over a tank opening, comprising a locking bar pivotally' securedto the plate, a latch of substantially U-shape fastened to the tank, its mouth facing the locking bar and its top branch at its lower side being tapered downwardly from both ends toward a recess in its center, and a roller rotatably secured to the "said locking bar and being adapted to contact with the said top branch and engage the edges of its recess for the purpose of maintaining the locking bar in a locked osition.

7. A'closure for openings in tanks, comprising a resilient washer secured'to the tank around the opening, a hinged plate adapted to contact with the washer, the said plate being slightly bellied to contact first with the washer opposite the center of its hinged side, devices for straightening the plate and pressing the. same uniformly against the washer,

each of the devices consisting of a locking bar pivotally secured to the plate, a latch of substantially U-shape fastened to the tank, its mouth facing the locking bar and its to branch having a recess at its lower side, an a roller rotatably secured to the said locking hgr and being adapted to contact with the said if: p bllianch and engage the edges of its recess or t e purpose of maintaining the locking bar in a ocked position.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand. EDWARD A. 'HOFFMANN. 

